Ep 5. Episode 5

Food Safari is a show that celebrates the remarkable diversity of food in Australia. It explores the traditions and techniques used by different cultures to create delicious dishes. In season 4 episode 5, viewers are taken on a culinary journey through the world of hot and spicy food.

The episode features a wide variety of dishes, from fiery curries to smoky barbecues. Viewers are introduced to some of the best-known hot and spicy foods from around the world, including Indian vindaloo, Sichuan hot pot, and Jamaican jerk chicken. Each dish is explained in detail, with the show's host, Maeve O'Meara, providing some fascinating insights into the history and culture behind each one.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through a number of different cuisines, each one with its own unique approach to hot and spicy food. There are stops in India, China, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as closer to home in Australia.

The first stop on the journey is India, where viewers are introduced to the world of vindaloo. This fiery curry is considered one of the spiciest dishes in the world, and viewers get to see how it's made from scratch. They take a trip to a spice market in Goa, where they learn about the key ingredients that give vindaloo its distinctive flavour. Back in the kitchen, Maeve cooks up a storm, creating a rich and spicy vindaloo that's bound to set tongues tingling.

Next up is China, where viewers are introduced to Sichuan hot pot. This is a meal that's meant to be shared, with everyone gathered around a bubbling pot of spicy broth. Maeve visits a restaurant in Sichuan province where this dish is a speciality. She learns about the different types of chillies used to give the broth its heat, as well as the other ingredients that are added to create a rich and satisfying meal. Back in the kitchen, Maeve shows viewers how to make their own version of this delicious and warming dish.

Moving on to Mexico, viewers are introduced to the smoky and spicy flavours of chipotle. This is a type of smoked chilli that's commonly used in Mexican cuisine, and Maeve learns about its history and uses from a local chef. She also visits a street stall where they make their own chipotle hot sauce, and samples it with some tortillas. Back in the kitchen, Maeve uses this versatile ingredient to create a delicious chipotle chicken salad.

The final stop on the journey is the Caribbean, where viewers are introduced to the fiery flavours of jerk chicken. This is a staple of Jamaican cuisine, and Maeve visits a street vendor who specialises in this delicious dish. She learns about the different spices and herbs that are used to create the marinade, as well as the traditional techniques used to cook the chicken. Back in the kitchen, Maeve uses this recipe to create her own jerk chicken with a twist.

Overall, this episode of Food Safari is an exciting and mouth-watering journey through the world of hot and spicy food. Viewers will come away with a newfound appreciation for the diversity and complexity of these complex and flavourful dishes. Whether you're a spice fanatic or just looking to expand your culinary horizons, this episode is sure to be a hit.